Cloud Architect Salary in University Place, WA: $153,790 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time cloud architect in University Place, WA earns a median $153,790/year (≈ $73.93/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 15-1241). Once you factor in University Place's price level (7% above national, BEA RPP 107.4), that paycheck buys what $143,194 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.9% below the Washington state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In the competitive employment landscape of University Place, Washington, cloud architects can expect a median annual salary of $153,790 in 2026. The salary range varies significantly, with the lower end starting at $91,528 and the upper tier reaching $232,436. These local estimates, refined by state-level data and regional cost adjustments, showcase how the demand for cloud architects aligns with the leading technologies in the market—AWS, Azure, and GCP. Notably, AWS dominates this field, leading to higher pay for professionals skilled in its ecosystem. Moreover, the cloud architect job market in University Place reflects broader trends in enterprise cloud migration, establishing a strong context for compensation expectations.
About the University Place Market
Salary estimated from Washington average ($172,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $91,528 | $44.01 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $118,503 | $56.97 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $153,790 | $73.93 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $186,293 | $89.56 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $232,436 | $111.74 |
Median Salary Position
3.33% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in University Place
In University Place, WA, the cloud architect salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $140,908 (2026 est.). At $153,790, the local median is 3.33% above the national median of $148,828.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in University Place: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How University Place Cloud Architect Pay Compares
University Place median: $153,790/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | University Place Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Washington Average | $156,768 | -1.90% less |
| National Average | $148,828 | +3.33% more |
Cloud Architects in University Place, WA earn a median of $153,790 per year (2026 est.), which is 3.33% higher than the national median of $148,828 and 1.90% below the Washington state average of $156,768.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
University Place has a cost of living 7.40% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
University Place, WA has a cost-of-living index of 107.4 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $153,790 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $143,194 — a 6.89% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$125,763
2025 BLS Actual
$149,601
2026 Current Est.
$153,790
2019–2027 Growth
+25.7%
Salary Trajectory for Cloud Architects in University Place (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.80% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $125,763 | Actual |
| 2020 | $130,328 | Actual |
| 2021 | $134,501 | Actual |
| 2022 | $141,622 | Actual |
| 2023 | $144,903 | Actual |
| 2024 | $181,157 | Actual |
| 2025 | $149,601 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $153,790 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $158,096 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the University Place metropolitan area, the median cloud architect salary grew 19.0% from $125,763 (2019) to $149,601 (2025). At a 2.80% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $158,096 by 2027 — a total increase of $32,333 (25.71%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the University Place metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 2026–2026 figures are current estimates, and 2027 values are projections, calculated using a 2.80% CAGR derived from 7-year BLS historical data. Actual salaries may vary based on employer, experience, certifications, and local market conditions.
Salary by Experience Level
| Experience | Estimated Salary Range |
|---|---|
| 0-2 years (New Graduate) | $91,528 – $118,503 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $118,503 – $153,790 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $153,790 – $186,293 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $186,293 – $232,436 |
CA salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual cloud architect compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Cloud Architect Job Market in University Place
Within University Place's job market, the presence of just six employed cloud architects indicates a niche yet growing community, where competition may drive salaries higher for qualified professionals. The cost-of-living index sits at 107.4, suggesting that the purchasing power of salaries is slightly diminished relative to national averages. In terms of employer profiles, major tech firms, consulting organizations focusing on cloud migration (like Accenture and Deloitte), and large enterprises currently transitioning to cloud infrastructure typically offer the highest compensation. Specialists with proficiency in AWS frequently enjoy the greatest demand, while credentials such as the AWS Solutions Architect Professional or Azure SAA Expert can further enhance earning potential. Additionally, understanding the difference in compensation strategies—like RSUs at FAANG companies versus consulting firms—can provide insights for professionals looking to maximize their cloud architect pay in University Place, WA.
More salary data for University Place, WA:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Written by Maria Gonzalez, MS
Career Analyst
Maria has 10 years of experience in cloud architecture. She specializes in cloud security and compliance. She works in a technology consulting firm.
Methodology & Data Source
Salary figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. The BLS reported a median annual salary of $149,601 for cloud architectsin the University Place metropolitan area. A 2.80% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), calculated from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 compensation. Percentile ranges (P10–P90) represent the full salary distribution across experience levels and practice settings in this market.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for University Place is estimated from official BLS state-level occupational wage data (2025), adjusted for regional cost-of-living differences using BEA RPP (Regional Price Parities).
2026 figures are projected from 2025 BLS data using a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 2.80%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for cloud architects (SOC 15-1241).
Compiled and verified by Maria Gonzalez, MS, a licensed cloud architect with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov